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For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryMay 3, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: Economy THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, the Commerce Department reported that GDP grew at an annual rate of six-tenths of a percent in the first quarter. This rate of growth is not nearly as high as we would like. And after a record 52 months of uninterrupted job growth, April was the fourth month in a row in which our economy lost jobs, although the unemployment rate dropped to five percent. My Administration has been clear and candid on...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryApril 26, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: Education      In Focus: Economy THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. As we approach graduation season, many American students are looking forward to beginning college in the fall. This new chapter of life is a time of great expectation but can also be a time of anxiety. And that anxiety is being heightened by the recent credit crunch, which has raised concerns about the potential availability of student loans. Recently, some lenders have dropped out of the Federal program that provides college loans...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryApril 19, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: International Trade THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Next week, I will be hosting the North American Leaders' Summit in New Orleans. This event will give me an opportunity to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calder n to discuss some of the most significant issues facing our hemisphere and the world. One of the issues that I'll be discussing with these leaders is the importance of expanding trade in our hemisphere. Recently I sent Congress an...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryMarch 22, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       Easter 2008THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend, families across America are coming together to celebrate Easter. This is the most important holiday in the Christian faith. And during this special and holy time each year, millions of Americans pause to remember a sacrifice that transcended the grave and redeemed the world. Easter is a holiday that beckons us homeward. This weekend is an occasion to reflect on the things that matter most in life: the love of family, the laughter of friends,...

  For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryMarch 15, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: EconomyTHE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Friday, I traveled to New York City to talk about the state of our economy. This is a topic that has been a source of concern for families across America. In the long run, we can be confident that our economy will continue to grow, but in the short run, it is clear that growth has slowed. Fortunately, we recognized this slowdown early, and took action to give our economy a shot in the...

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, an Iraq combat veteran said Saturday that apparent GOP nominee John McCain should not win the presidential election because he would continue the war in Iraq. Roger Martinez, who served as an Army ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq, noted in the Democrats' weekly radio address that President Bush endorsed McCain this week. Bush said McCain "won't flinch in the face of danger" and McCain strongly supports the U.S. efforts in Iraq. Electing a leader who would continue Bush's policies in Iraq would be a mistake, Martinez said. "Our country and our armed services...

[Snip] President Bush said Saturday he vetoed legislation that would ban the CIA from using harsh interrogation methods such as waterboarding to break suspected terrorists because it would end practices that have prevented attacks. [Snip]

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryMarch 1, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       2008 National Drug Control Policy (PDF, 6.73MB, 79 pages) THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today, my Administration is releasing our 2008 National Drug Control Strategy. This report lays out the methods we are using to combat drug abuse in America. And it highlights the hopeful progress we're making in the fight against addiction. When I took office in 2001, our country was facing a troubling rate of drug abuse, particularly among young people. Throughout America, young men and women saw their dreams disrupted...

In his radio address today, President Bush blasted the House Democrats for failing to extend the Protect America Act that authorizes terrorist surveillance. Good morning.  At the stroke of midnight tonight, a vital intelligence law that is helping protect our nation will expire.  Congress had the power to prevent this from happening, but chose not to.  The Senate passed a good bill that would have given our intelligence professionals the tools they need to keep us safe.  But leaders in the House of Representatives blocked a House vote on the Senate bill, and then left on a 10-day recess.  Some...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryFebruary 1, 2008 Mrs. Bush's Radio Address to the Nation   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español MRS. BUSH: Good morning. This is Laura Bush. For the weekly radio address, President Bush has handed the mic over to me. And today, I'd like to talk about something that's close to my heart -- America's heart health. February is American Heart Month -- a time to start heart-healthy habits, and to learn about the risk factors for heart disease. These risk factors include smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, family history,...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryJanuary 26, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Monday night, I will address the American people about the state of our union. I will report that over the last seven years, we've made great progress on important issues at home and abroad. I will also report that we have unfinished business before us, and we must work together to get it done. In my speech, I will lay out a full plate of issues for Congress to address in the year ahead. Two of these issues...

WASHINGTON - President Bush backs tax rebates as the best way to stimulate the economy, but will not detail how big they should be, an administration official said Friday. Democratic congressional leaders agree that one-time checks should be in the package, but are working on a broader measure that would also include aid targeted to the poor and unemployed. Bush planned to lay out his position publicly for the first time later Friday, first in remarks at the White House and later at a Frederick, Md., manufacturing plant. White House spokesman Tony Fratto said earlier that Bush also will outline...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryJanuary 19, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: Economy THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Yesterday, I visited Wright Manufacturing -- a business in Frederick, Maryland that makes commercial lawn mowers. Businesses like Wright are the driving force behind our economic success. They create jobs and opportunities for millions of workers. And entrepreneurs like those at Wright Manufacturing keep our economy growing. This is a challenging period for our economy, and I know many of you listening are concerned about the future. My advisors and many outside experts expect that...

For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 12, 2008 President’s Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       Middle East Trip THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm speaking to you from the Middle East, where I have been meeting with friends and allies. We're discussing how we can work together to confront the extremists who threaten our future. And I have encouraged them to take advantage of the historic opportunity we have before us to advance peace, freedom, and security in this vital part of the world. My first stop was Israel and the Palestinian Territories. I had good meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryJanuary 5, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: Middle EastTHE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Tuesday, I will board Air Force One and depart for a trip to the Middle East. This is a region of great strategic importance to the United States, and I'm looking forward to my visit. My first stops will be in the Holy Land, where I'll meet with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas. I will encourage both leaders to move forward with the peace negotiations they began last November in Annapolis....

HARRY REID: Good morning. I'm Nevada Senator Harry Reid, the Majority leader of the United States Senate. Last November, Americans elected a new Democratic Congress to end business as usual in Washington and change America. This week marked the end of our first year in the majority, and in that time, Democrats have put working families first, given our troops the care and support they deserve, and made our country safer. For working families: We cut middle class taxes; raised the minimum wage for the first time in ten years; helped families avoid foreclosure on their homes; made college more...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryDecember 22, 2007 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: Holiday in the Parks THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Christmas is just a few days away. As Americans gather around the tree with family and friends, we remember the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard men and women who will be spending this holiday far away from their homes and loved ones. America is blessed to have men and women willing to step forward to defend our freedoms and keep us safe from our enemies. We are thankful for their...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryDecember 15, 2007 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: Defense THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. In a time of war, America's top priority should be to ensure that our troops on the front lines get the funding they need. So beginning in February, I submitted detailed funding requests to Congress to fund operations in the war on terror. Congress has had months to pass this funding. Unfortunately, with just days to go before members leave for their Christmas vacation, they still have not come through with these funds. This week...

For Immediate ReleaseDecember 7, 2007 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       Fact Sheet: Helping American Families Keep Their Homes      In Focus: Homeownership THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today I want to talk to you about some important policies affecting taxpayers and homeowners this holiday season. On Thursday, the United States Senate passed a bill to fix the alternative minimum tax, or AMT. The AMT was designed to ensure that the wealthy paid their fair share of taxes. But when Congress passed the AMT decades ago, it was not indexed for inflation. As a result, the AMT's higher tax...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryDecember 1, 2007 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       Just the Facts: 2007 War Funding by the Numbers      In Focus: Budget ManagementTHE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Next week, Congress returns from its Thanksgiving recess. Members are coming back to a lot of unfinished business. And the clock will be ticking, because they have only a few weeks to get their work done before leaving again for Christmas. Congress must address four critical priorities. First, Congress needs to pass a bill to fund our troops in combat. Second, Congress needs to make sure...